Method of raising or forcing liquid.



H. A. HUMPHREY.

METHOD OF RAlSlNG 0R FORCING LIQUID. APPLICATION FILED JULY 22. 1911.RENEWED JUNE 27.1916.

1,214,791. Patented Feb. 6,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ATTORNEY.

H. A. HUMPHREY. METHOD OF RAISING 0R FORCING LIQUID.

APPLICATION FILED 1ULY22, 191l- RENEWED JUNE 27.1916- 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2-Patented Feb. 6,

INVEHTOR BY 2 I WITNESSES II TTUBNEV.

H. A. HUMPHRE Y. METHOD OF RAISING 0R FORCING LIQUID.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22, 191].

RENEWED JUNE 27. 1916.

Patented Feb. 6, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 IfdI/EIVTUR j WITNESSES fl TTORNEV.

HERBERT ALFRED HUMPHREY, LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO HUMPHREY GAS PUMPCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

METHOD OF RAISING OR FORCING LIQUID.

1 214,791, I Specification of Letters Patent. Patented F b. 6, 191*?Application filed July 22, 1911, Serial No. 689,972. Renewed June 27,1916. Serial No. 106,261.

To all'whom it may concern: mixing as far'as ossible the combustion Beit known that I, HERBERT ALFRED chamber should be suitably shaped andthe HUMPHREY, a subject of the King of Great inlet and exhaust valvessuitably arranged Britain, residing in London, England, have relativelyto each other; for the same pur- 5 invented a new and useful Method ofRaispose the combustible charge may be preing or Forcing Liquid, ofwhich the followceded b a quantity of air. ing is a speci cation. V IThe .ollow'ing is an example of the work- My invention relates tointernal combus- 1ng cycle which may be obtained :Ignition tion pumpsand compressors, in which a of a compressed combustible charge fol- 10column of liquid is propelled outwardly lowed by expansion of the burntproducts from acombustion chamber by an expansive and the lntake of afresh combustible charge force, whereby a fresh expansible charg is(accompanied or notby the intake of fresh introduced, and inwhich acolumn of liquid liquid) during the outstroke of the liquid flowsinwardly toward a combustion chamcolumn. During the instroke of theliquid 15 her whereby the h j r d, column burnt products are firstexpelled and The object of my invention is to provide then the freshcombustible charge coman improved method whereby the kinetic pressedready for ignition to start a fresh energy of the outwardly propelledcolumn cycle. If the scavenging air or the comof liquid may be utilizedin introducing abustible charge or both are supplied under 20 freshexpansible charge. I may also introsllght pressure, then they can beginto enter duce fresh-scavenging air before the burnt as soon as the burntgases have expanded products are expelled. approximately to atmosphericpressure and Referring to the accompanying drawings, continue to enteruntil the instroke of the y by y of ex mple, ap llquid column closes theexhaust valve. One

illustrating merel 25 paratus for effecting the improved method of theadvantages of this cycle arises from herein described, Figure 1 is adiagramthe fact that there need be no locking gear matic verticalsection. Fig. 2 is a detailin e we n the inlet and exhaust valves, and

vertical section on an enlarged scale of an h renders he use f a numberof inlet andinlet valve. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical exhaust valvfi y matte! S0 ha large 30 section showing modification in combustionvalve areas may e employed. High comchamber and inlet and exit valves.Fig. 4-is presslon pressures may also be obtained, a vertical sectionshowin other modificasince during its instroke the liquid column tions.Fig. 5 is a vertica section showing may gain velocity while driving outthe further modifications in combustion chamgaseous contents of thecombustion chamber 35 ber and inlet and exit valves and also showuntilthe exhaust valve closes, and compresing a free piston interposed betwen th slon of the fresh combustible charge begins. H

charge and the liquid. Fig. 6 is a vertical Again, certain portlons ofthe combustion section showing means and method for introchamber may bemaintained comparatively ducing gas and air by movements in the suphotand dry, and such hot portions may be 40 ply liquid. conveniently usedin connection with the use Similar numerals refer to similar parts ofl1qu1 d' fuels which require to be vaporized. throughout the severalviews. 7 In Flg. 1, 1 is the main body of a combus- I find that it ispossible to introduce into tion chamber, circular in plan, the upthecombustion chamber a fresh combustible p r part 2 f which is annular andclosed 46 h rg before the exhaust gases hav be except for a ring ofadmission valves two expelled from the chamber, without pr of which, 3and 3 are shown. At a lower ignition. Moreover, whether thecombustilevel are exhaust valves 4 adapted to open ble charge is drawnin by partial vacuum or by their own weight and to be closed by theintroduced under suflicient pressure to proaction of the liquid when itreaches them.

50 duce displacement, such charge may be intro- Nonreturn valves 5situated in a partition 6 duced in such a way that the combustible allowburnt gases to pass into the exhaust mixture and the exhaust gases arekept seppipe 7 but not to return, and such valves arate or sufficientlyseparate until the bulk may be made very light so as to open under ofthe exhaust gases is expelled. For avoidthe action of slight pressureand to close 55 ing pro-ignition and for preventing interunder theaction of their own weight. A no bend 8 connects chamber 1 with an inletvalve box 9 fitted with inlet valves 10 for liquid, and 9 is in turnconnected with the play pipe 11 which leads to a place of higher levelor pressure and in which the liquid column reciprocates. A tank 12contains the liquid to be raised and is fed with fresh liquid throughinlet 13. Considering first only those parts already mentioned andassuming that valves 3, 3 are normally held closed by light springswhich allow the valves to open under suction and admit combustiblemixture, one method of operating is as follows: A compressed combustiblecharge is ignited in the top of 2 and expansion occurs driving liquiddownward in chamber 1 and outwardly along pipe 11 so that the liquidcolumn therein attains considerable kinetic energy. Suppose that theexpanded gases attain atmospheric pressure when the liquid level is at aa in chamber 1. The liquid column in 11 is then moving with considerablevelocity and valves 10 open and admit more liquid into 9 to follow themoving liquid. Exhaust valves 4 open under their own weight but thesuction which occurs in chamber 1 cannot draw in exhaust products sincevalves 5 prevent this, but the continued movement of the column ofliquid lowers the level to b b and causes the intake of combustiblemixture through valves 3, 3,-

so that the incoming mixture occupies the space in 2 down to the levelsay of c c, d1splacing the burnt products from this part of the chamber.The volumetric change repre-' sented by the fall of liquid from a a to bb can be controlled by altering the level'of liquid in tank 12 which forthe present is regard'ed as an open top tank. If the level of the liquidin 12 is raised then the tendency of liquid to flow from 12 into chamber1 is increased and the volumetric change in 1 is diminished. Conversely,if the level of liquid in 12 is diminished the volumetric change isincreased and thus by such control the combustible charge taken into 2can be made to occupy the space approximately to the level 0 0. When theliquid column has come to rest the suction in chamber 1 ceases andvalves 3, 3 close under the action of their springs. A return movementof the column now begins under the action of a head or pressure and,valves 10 having also been closed by their springs, liquid rises in 1,drives out burnt gases through valves 4, shuts these valves andcompresses the combustible charge in the upper portion of the chamberuntil the column of liquid again comes to rest. Ignition of the chargethen starts a fresh cycle.

It being desirable that the fresh combustible charge should beintroduced in such manner as to prevent" mixing withthe burnt productspresent and also to prevent loss of combustible gas through valves 4,

the combustion chamber should be shaped with this end in view. Thus inFig. 1 the annular shape of the part 2 of the chamber and the use of anumber of admission valves is adapted to secure the desired result andit is preferable to let in air only at first and then mixture. Ifalternate admission valves are connected with air and gas suppliesrespectively then the weight of valve and strength of springvfor eachclass of valve can be so proportioned that the air valves open firstwhen suction occurs.

If all the valves admit mixture, they can be constructed as shown, drawnto an enlarged scale, in Fig. 2 so that the first part of the openingmovement gives passage for air only, while further opening admit-s bothgas and air. Thus the valve 63 controls both the air port 14 and the gasport 15. It will be evident that air is admitted so soon as the valveleaves its outer seat, and only after it has moved distance (l'will gasbe admitted.

Fig. 3 shows another form of combustion chamber Where the combustiblegases are admitted into a central portion 2 and the exhaust valves arein a ring below'2 as shown. Light nonreturn valves 5 are carried on thestems of valves 4. 1 Corresponding parts are numbered to agree with Fig.1 and the cycle of operations is the same.

To obtain more uniform action and the benefit to be derived frommeasuring into the chamber a definite combustible charge the completearrangement shown in Fig. 1 may be adopted and the parts not yetreferred to will now be described.

The tank 12 is closed by an air tight top 65 and the sides extended toform a second tank 16 containing liquid in which two small holders 17and 18 for gas and air respectively may rise and fall. The outer holder18 is annular and the holder 17 is co-axial with it, and arranged sothat when the outer holder rises it carries the inner holder with it byengaging flange 19. In the closed tank 12 there is an air inlet 20fitted with a hinged valve 21 and air is drawn in through this valveeach time the level of the liquid in tank 12 falls, but when the levelof the liquid rises air is forced through pipe 22 past nonreturn valve23 into the holder 18, thus causing the holder to rise. An inlet 24 forgas communicates with pipe 25 and holder 17 and gas flows or is drawninto 17 through pipe 25 and valve 26 as 17 rises, or is lifted by themovement of holder 18.

Outlet pipes 27 and 28 for gas and air respectix'ely lead to separatering mains 29 and 30, which supply the admission valves o and-3. \Vhenthere is a ring of such valves, one set of valves as 3, is supplied withgas and the other set as 3. alternately arranged 1S supplied with air.This secures that there shall be no explosive mixture outgside chamber1.

tamper I In the gas pipe 27 there is a throttle valve next cycle. Thetendency of liquid to flow 31 operated by a lever] 32, one end of whichfrom tank 12 into chamber 1 when the level is acted upon by a spring 33to close the in the former is'the greater must not be valve and theother end is adapted to be overlooked.

acted upon by a weight 34 to open the valve. For the movable gas holdersof Flg. 1 70 A cord 35 attached to the holder 18 at 36 may besubstituted a fixed device for inand to the weight 34 is carried bypulleys troducing the gas and air. Such a device 37 pivoted at 38 andthe length is adjusted is shown in Fig. 4 where the rise and fall sothat when the holder 18 is in its highest of the liquid in the deliverytank is used 10 position valve 31 is closed byspring 33, but, instead ofthat in the supply tank. The 75 in falling, weight 34 is liftedand byconplay pipe 11 is connected with a conical detact with lever 32 valve31 is opened. Thus livery tank 40 having an outlet 41 for the forexample when holder 18 falls half way liquid raised. The tank has aclosed top valve 31 may be opened andmaintained open from which apartition 42 extends down- 15 for the rest of the fall. ward below theminimum 1i uid level Z Z. .80

The fall of the liquid level in tank 12 is This divides the space abovet e liquid intocaused by the sudden intake of liquid two'parts 43 and 44used for gas and air through valves 10 which occurs toward therespectively. The gas enters through pipe end of the working stroke ofthe pump, and 45 which is carried vertically downward in o the riseisdue to the fresh supply of liquid the tank to level Z Z and has abranch as entering the tank through pipe 13 during shown fitted with ahinged valve 46. The the period intervening before the next inoutlet forgas is pipe 47 which is connected take. The operation may begin with thewith ring main 29 supplying the combustion ignition of a compressedcombustible charge chamber 1. Air enters the top of the tank 25 inchamber 1 and as already explained atthrough pipe 48 which extendsdownwardv mospheric pressure is attained when the to the level Z Z andcarries a branch fitted gases have expanded to a a. -At this time withhinged valve 49. Pipe 50 conveys the the level of liquid in tank '12 isabout at its air to' ring main 30 above chamber '1. highest and sothereis least air in tank 12 The action of this part of the apparatus 30and -most air in holder 18 which is in its is as follows: Wheni itionoccurs in chamhighest position. The pressure of air in ber'1 the levelof liquid in 40 is at its lowest, holder 18 aided by the further fall ofliquid that is at- Z Z. Liquid is driven alon the in chamber 1 to b 6causes air to flow play pipe 11 into tank 40 where the evel from theholder past valves 3 into the chamrises to Z Z by the time the burntgases 35 her and by introducing sufficient air burnt attain atmosphericpressure and exhaust products may be displaced and driven out valves 4open. The rise of liquid from Z Z past valves 4 so long as these valvesremain to Z Z displaces air from 44 through pipe open, and while theliquid is first falling 48, but further rise past the bottom of this andthen rising in chamber 1. Now until pipe cuts off the escape of airthrough 48 40 holder 18 has fallen far enough to cause the and forces itthrough pipe 50 into ring main opening of valve .31 the gas holder 17can- '30, and so past the air inlet valves 3 into not fall, but beyondthis point both holders chamber 1, thus displacing burnt products falltogether and supply gas and air to in the chamber. In like manner, butstartchamber 1 to intermingle therein and to ing a little later, the gasin 43, some of which 45 form a combustible mixture in the top therehasbeen driven back through pipe 45 as of. The inflow of the mixture mayconthe liquid rises from Z Z to Z Z is-forced tinue until the liquidrising in chamber 1 through pipe 47 into chamber 1; and during reachesvalves 4 and shuts them and the the change of level from Z Z to thehighest period of inflow may .thus cover that part level Z Z, gas andair are delivered together 50 of the cycle in which the moving liquid001- into the combustion chamber. Valves 3 and um in play pipe 11 slowsdown and comes 3 now close and the level of liquid falls in to rest andthen moves a considerable portank 40 partly due to the continuousdelivtion of its stroke in the reverse .direction, ery through 41, andpartly to the movement which period occupies the greater portion of ofthe liquid in the play pipe, when the 55 the time of a complete cycle.For this reason liquid column returns to shut valves 4 and sufiicientair can be introduced to efiect compress the fresh combustible charge.scaventging and can be followed by the in- During the fall of theliquid, nonreturn flow o the combustible constituents without valves 46and 49 provide inlets for gas and using any pressures beyond what arecomair respectively until the bottoms of pipes monly employedin gasholders. Between 45 and 48 are uncovered by the liquid, and. 2 theclosing of valves 4 and their next openwhen the lowest level Z Z isagain reached ing the liquid level in tank 12 rises and 43 and 44 areagain charged ready for a so forces a fresh supply of air through piperepetition of the cycle. 22 into holder 18 thus lifting both holders Inthe previous examples the combustible 65 which become charged againready for the mixture is drawn in at the top of the combustion chamberand the burnt products are displaced downward, but as these products,being heated, have a lower specific gravity than the incoming air andcombustible mixture or gas, it is sometimes desirable to displace themupward. This can be effected by the arrangement shown in Fig. 5 where 1is the combustion chamber having the exhaust valve 4 above the valves 3and 3 for the admission of combustible constituents. In this case theknown device of a rigid piston 51 resting upon the end of the i rod 52supported by a spring 53 carried in a tubular projection 54 attached tothe piston. Rod 52 is adapted to engage against valve 4 and to closethis valve when the piston rises far enough in the combustion chamber.It is obvious that a float attached to valve 4 by a rod may besubstituted for the piston. Valve 5 serves the same pur ose as thevalves 5 in the other constructions. The method of operation is asfollows: Ignition occurs when the piston 51 has risen and compressed acombustible charge in the top of chamber 1 and all valves are shut. Asexpansion proceeds and atmospheric pressure is attained, piston 51uncovers the outlet of valves 3 and 3* and valve 4 opens but valve 5 isclosed. The further downward movement of the piston alon with the watercolumn permits the intake 0 combustible constituents through valves 3,3, until the piston and water column come to rest and valves 3, 3 areshut. The return movement of the water column then lifts the piston,driving out the burnt products, which in this case are on top, ejectingthem past valves 4 and 5, until rod 52 reaches valve 4, and shuts it.The further movement of the piston compresses the fresh combustiblecharge in the top of chamber 1,.and the ignition of this charge starts afresh cycle. Rod 52 should be of such length as to close valve 4 as soonas the products are nearly expelled, so that little or no combustiblemixture may be lost. It will be observed that the valves 3, 3' aresituated in recesses so that piston 51 may rise past them. It will alsobe evident that after the top of rod 52 meets valve 4 and shuts it, thefurther movement of piston 51 causes spring 53 to be compressed. Thecycle is essentially the same in this as in the previously describedcases but the combustible mixturais taken in below the burnt gases.

Gas and air may be introduced by move-' ments in the supply liquid in amanner differing somewhat from that described with reference to Fig. 1as will be explained with reference to Fig. 6 in which correspondingparts are numbered as before. The liquid inlet valves 10 are surroundedby an annular chamber 13, forming a closed end to the supply pipe 13, inwhich is fixed a bell 55 valves 58 quid column is used, and carries a.

for gas and air respectively are fitted with and 59 and are connected inthis case with a mixture admission valve 3 in chamber 1. All the valves56, 57, 58 and 59 are normally open under their own weight and areadapted to be closed by the liquid as it reaches them.

The introduction of the gases is effected in the following manner:Suppose the level of the liquid supply is at d d, that the supply pipe13 is long enough for the liquid in it to have considerableinertia, andthat chambers 43 "and 44 are nearly full of liquid. Ignition andexpansion occurs in chamber 1 and when atmospheric pressure is attainedvalves 10 and 4 open. Liquid rushes in through valves 10 and the firsteffect is to lower the level in the nearest source of supply namelychambers 43 and 44 since the mass of liquid in pipe 13 cannot be quicklyaccelerated. Gas is thus taken into chamber 43 through pipe 45 and theair into chamber 44 through pipe 48 while the flow of liquid in pipe 13is being accelerated and until the supply of liquid in 13 equals theflow. through valves 10. The outward movement of the liquid column inplay pipe 11 is now decreasing in velocity but the flow in pipe 13havlng attained its maximum velocity tends to be maintained by themomentum of the liquid and so the surplus supply of liquid rises inchambers 43 and 44,'shuts valves 57 and 56 in turn, and de livers gasand air through pipes 47 and 50 and valve 3 into chamber 1, until theliquid reaching valves 58 and 59 shuts them and is brought to rest bycompressing the unrejected gas and air entrapped in the tops of chambers43 and 44.

By suitably proportioning the parts, the delivery of the gas and air mayoccur wholly or partly during the return stroke of the liquid column inpipe 11, but before the liquid rises in chamber 1 far enough to closeexhaust valves 4. In such case an ordinary scavenging valve 60, Fig. 6,,for air, is provided and supplies air during the outward stroke of theliquid column.

What I claim is 1. The method of raising or forcing liquid, whichconsists in reciprocating a column of liquid, the outstroke of saidreciprocation being due to an expansive force, utilizing the movement ofthe outstroke in introducing a fresh expansible charge and expelling theexhaust.

2. The method of raising or forcing liquid, which consists inreciprocating a column of sion space during the liquid, the outstroke ofsaid reciprocation belng due to an expansive force, utilizing themovement of the outstroke in introducing a fresh expansible charge andexpelling the exhaust, and utilizing the movement of the return stroketo compress said charge.

3. The method of raising or forcing liquid, which consists inreciprocating a column of liquid, the outstroke of said reciprocationbelng due to an expansive force, utilizing the movement of the outstrokein introducing a fresh expansible charge and expelling the exhaust, andutilizing the changes of level of a liquid supply for controlling thelevel to which the liquid falls in the expanoutstroke and thus affectingthe volumetric intake of the fresh expansible charge.

4. The method of raising 0r forcing liquid which consists inreciprocating a column 0 liquid, the outstroke of said reciprocationbeing due to an expansive force, utilizing the movement of the outstrokein introducing a fresh expansible charge and expelling the exhaust, andutilizing the changes of level of a liquid supply for controlling thelevel to which the liquid falls in the expansion'space during theoutstroke and thus affecting the volumetric intake of the freshexpansible charge and the displacement of the exhaust.

5. The method of raising or forcing liquid,

which consists in reciprocating a column of liquid, the outstroke ofsaid reciprocation being due to an expansive force, utilizing themovement of the outstroke in introducing a fresh expansible charge andexpelling the exhaust, after the lowerin of the level of the liquidduring the instro e has drawn a fresh charge into the space vacated bysaid liquid.

6. The method of raising or forcing liquid which consists inreciprocating a column 0 liquid, the outstroke of said reciprocationbeing due to an expansive force, utilizing the movement of the outstrokein intr ucing a fresh expansible charge the exhaust, and utilizing thechange of level of the liquid delivered for displacing the exhaust byintroducing charge.

7. The method of raising or forcing liquid, which consists inreciprocating a column of liquid, the outstroke of said reciprocationbeing due to an expansive force, utilizing the later period of saidoutstroke movement to introduce a fresh expansible charge, utilizing theearlier period of the return stroke to discharge the exhaust, and thelater period of the return stroke to compress the charge.

HERBERT ALFRED HUMPHREY.

Witnesses:

WALTER J. SKERTEN, JOSEPH MILLARD.

the fresh expansibleand expelling

